Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-04-04
MARRIED IN HER SLEEP.
Miss Abigail Stark OutdOes All Pre-
vi0usly Reported SOnanambulists.

From the Toledo Blade
Abigail Stark. young, progressing girl OF the
fifth ward, is somnambulist, and most thorough
one at that. She has been known to walk q dis
lance Of two miles at stretch without waking up,
and on one occasion she frightened sleigh load Of
young people, who were returning late at night
from party, half out of their wits. 1t was some
time before Miss Abigairs parents learned OF their
daughters popularity, and ever after they kept
close watch Of her. Now, Miss Stark was courted
BY young man from the third ward, John Derby,
likely fellow, but for some reason he and the old
folks could not get along together, and the upshot
OF the matter was that he was denied admission to
the Stark mansion, proceeding which quite dis
gusted the youthful lovers.
But they were not to be outdene 50 easily, and
from the time OF the enhancement between the
young man and the Old folks the girl seemed to
take q certain fancy to an aunt who resides In
time d not manifest e TO '1 sse stsaS eSer
and they merely expressed delight that their
daughter should take pleasure In visiting her aunt,
One night, while John and Abigail were return
Ing from party, John proposed that they should
get married without further delay. He said there
was no prospect Of Abigairs parents ever liking
him, and so long as the climax had to be reached
he wanted TO reach it by the shortest way. He
did not believe In long courtships To all Of which
Abigail replied that 1t would be impossible for
them 10 get married without they elOped, for her
aunt would never sanction their marriage unless
Lets elope, tnen,' said John; 81 am heartily
slck ana Tired OF the subterfuge which we are
practislng upon your parents Let us get married,
without them"
Abigail hesitated before taking so important
STEP Sne wanted time TO think il over. or course
sne expected to marry him, even il her parents
did object but the proposition was so sudden that
she would ask him to walt until the next evening
81 have already engaged the minister" said
John, as he babe her farewell at the gate sand he
ho lacV spofn f<,f tSaI
at midnight to do 1t.
When he had left Abigail he walked slowly up
town, pleturing in his mind the happy home he
would have, with Abigail as its mistress. The
bright nre the coy chair, the comfortable
slippers and all the ct ceteras that go to make up
suddenly it occurred to him that he had promised
10 call upon his chum, who lived near the aunt's
residence, and close up business matter of some
Importance. Although IL was late he knew his
chum's Penchant for late hours. and therefore had
no scruples
bell Of his friends house. when he happened to see
woman coming up the street. The figure was so
familiar that he tnvoluntarily sought the side.
was Abigail became certainty. and he hastened
forward to meet her. He was not aware SO alb
soreed had he been In making family pictures,
mat one hour had passed since he had left Abigail
In his impetuOus way he had but one thought, and
that was that Abigail had concluded to accept his
proposition and had come out in the hope Of over
But he was surprised at her silence. When he
spoke 70 her, she answered in quite as endearing
terms as be had used in addressing her; then she
took his arm, and the two walked rapidly away.
He asked her II she had really decided to marry
him that night and he was sure that she said yes.
got the way to the ministers. All was dark when
they got there, but vigorous ringing soon brought
the divine TO the front door, John was not long in
explaining the situation, and the minister soon
had the front room In order for the couples recep-
ton. He also pressed his wife into service as a
witness, and In a very brief period the knot was
tied and John was happy
Abigail had answered all questions properly,
and was apparently as happy as John over the re-
ceremony, nor had John In his raptures thought
OF asking her to do So They decided that She
there for day Or two until the final preparations
should be made, when they should go into their
own home.
When John left Abigail for the second time that
night he felt that he longer held the uncertain
position OF a lover. but that she was his wife by
divine decree. Visions OF the perfect home OF the
followed him home and became a large part of
nus dIeams when he dropped on And All the next
..My wife now, IN spite OF every one
She looked at him as though She thought him
have not accepted your proposition vet. You
presume too much, SIR" and she drew herself up
In mock defiant manner.
fou are big tease, said John, ''but could
scarcely believe my Senses
What are you talking about, john" looking at
nln SERIOUSLY.
"Why. our marriage" replied he also serious.
1T seems 10 me that did dream something
about getting married. said Abigail
"Dream about 1t! You amaze me- II remem
Der Alright, We had all the paraphernalta for a
genuine wedding" said John :vTherc was the
minister, his wife as witness and we two who
were married And here is the certificate il Won
do not believe it., and he drew that precious docu
ment from his pocket.
Abigail was astOunded. To think that She had
been married without being cOgnzant of it was
TOO much even for her strong mind, and She was
more than nan inclined to cry. Then the ridicu-
Ious feature occurred to her. and she was for some
Tune IN midair between laughing and crying
When she had Gained down and her mind became
settled the true status of affairs began to dawn
upon her. Hitherto she had never mentioned to
John her somnambulistfc escapadeS because She
had been half ashamed OF them but now that
she was married she thought 1t her duty to ex-
plain.
She told him all about it, and how on the NIGHT
that ne had left her at the gate she had gone to
her room, ana, being unusually tired had tain
down upon The bed without undressing, and had
lallen asleep. The circumstances OF the marriage
nad all come TO her as q dream and when she
arose that morning She had not given the matter
a second thought. But now that he had recalled
the marriage, she remembered all the details
Thus the affair stands. John and Abigail are
visiting friends In the west: while the old ge ntIe
man Is endeayorinS to find some means OF getting
his daughter back.